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RNATIONAL BUREAU OF AMERICAN REPUBUGS 

JOHN BARR&TT. DJRE:.CT0R 

FRANCISCO J. YANES, SECRETARY 



MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATIONS IN LATIN AMERICA 

MEXICO CITY 



(Reprint of an artide from the Monthly Bulletin of the International 
Bureau of American Republics, February, 1 909) 




WASHINGTON. D. C. 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1909 



INTERNATIONAL BUREAU OF AMERICAN REPUBLICS 



// 



JOHN BARRE^TT. D I R E: C T O R 

FRANCISCO J. YANES. SECRETARY 



MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATIONS IN LATIN AMERICA 



MEXICO CITY 



(Reprint of an article from the Monthly Bulletin of the International 
Bureau of American Republics, February, 1 909) 




WASHINGTON, D. C. 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1909 



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THE CITY OF MEXICO. 

THE IDEA of a Federal District not included within the area 
or jurisdiction of any of the States forming the Union, 
which district is set apart as the seat of the National Gov- 
ernment, is fundamental in each of the five Republics of 
North and South America whose form of government is that of a 
federal union of independent States. 



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THE NATIONAL PALACE, CITY OF MEXICO. 

This turreted and bastioned edifice, 675 feet lonar, faces the east side of the main plaza. The 
far corner contains the executive offices. Besides housing other departmental offices, the 
building provides chambers for the National Congress and the Central Meteorological 
Observatory. The palace occupies the site of Cortez's residence during the early days of the 
conquest, and was commenced in 1692. 

These five Republics, to give them their full designations, are the 
United States of America, the United Mexican States, the Argentine 
Nation, the United States of Brazil, and the United States of Vene- 
zuela. The capital cities of Washington, Mexico, Buenos Aires, 
Rio de Janeiro, and Caracas are each located in a Federal District 

"'" ^^0124 1909 

A^« or iOL i 



MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION IN LATIN-AMERICAN CAPITALS. 209 

under direct Federal control. They are all small in area, although 
the District of Columbia is by far the smallest of the five. 

The Mexican Federal District has a population of 576,000, and lies 
to the southeast of the Valley of Mexico and is irregular in shape. 
At its greatest length it measures about 30 miles and at its greatest 
breadth about 25 miles. Its area is about 578 square miles (1,498.75 
square kilometers). 

This is more than eight times the size of the District of Columbia, 
less than half the size of Rhode Island, and one and three-fourths 
the size of greater New York. 




A HOLIDAY PROCESSION IN MEXICO CITY. 

The two great national holidays of Mexico are Jlay 5 and September 16, the former commem- 
orating the victory over the French at Puebla in 1862, and the latter the patriot uprising under 
Hidalgo in 1810, which resulted in the establishment of a Republic. 

For purposes of administration the Mexican Federal District is 
divided into 13 municipalities — Mexico, Guadalupe Hidalgo, Atz- 
capotzalco, Tacuba, Tacubaya, Mixcoac, Cuajimalpa, San Angel, 
Cd^oacan, Tlalpam, Xochimilco, Milpa Alta, and Ixtapalapa. 

The first includes the City of Mexico and its immediate suburbs, 
and the remaining 12 the surrounding town, villages, and agricul- 
tural centers. About one-half of the population in the district out- 
side of the City of Mexico is of Indian origin, and is engaged in 
agriculture. 




MUlSriCIPAL ORGANIZATION IN LATIN-AMERICAN CAPITALS. 211 

Prior to 1903 the form of government in the Federal District was 
somewhat similar to the territorial government in force in the Dis- 
trict of Columbia about thirty-odd years ago. 

The organic act for the government of the Federal District was 
approved March 26, 1903, and went into effect July 1 of the same year. 

Under its provisions the immediate government of the District is 
in the hands of three officials who, together, compose the Superior 
Council of District Government. These officials are the Governor of 
the Federal District, the President of the Superior Health Board, and 
the Director-General of Public Works. 

This form of government bears a marked resemblance to that at 
present in force in the District of Columbia. This resemblance isj, 
however, more superficial than real. 




(Photo by Waite, Mexico City.) 

NEW POST-OFPICE, CITY OF MEXICO. 

The cornerstone of this building was laid by President Diaz on September 14, 1902, and it was opened 
to the public in 1907. The cost was $l,500,OCO and it was erected in accordance with the plans of 
the Italian architect, Adamo Boari. The post-office occupies a central location, and covers an area 
of about 40,000 square feet. 

In the District of Columbia the residents have no vote upon any 
question nor any voice whatever in the government, while in the 
Mexican Federal District they elect many of the minor officials and 
have considerable weight in the management of local affairs. In the 
District of Columbia the final determination of affairs of consequence 
is in the Senate and House Committees on the District, while in 
Mexico it is with the President of the Eepublic. The organic act, 
article 19, says : 

The political government and municipal administrative of the District shall 
be in charge of the Executive of the Union, through three officials, who shall be 
dependent upon the Department of the Interior, etc. 



MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION IN LATIN-AMEKICAN CAPITALS. 213 



In the District of Columbia all administration is by the three 
Commissioners acting jointly or by majority of the three. As a 
matter of convenience, the 
Commissioners do apportion 
the several departments 
among themselves, and one 
of these is especially ap- 
pointed as an engineer in 
charge of streets, buildings, 
etc., yet in theory it is the 
board and not the individual 
member which acts. In 
Mexico each of the three 
officials is for the most part 
independent and alone re- 
sponsible in his own depart- 
ment. This responsibility is 
limited by the right of the 
Superior Council — that is, of 
the three officials acting to- 
gether — " to revise, confirm- 
ing, reforming, or revoking 
the judgments of each one of 
the members of the Council, 
whenever these judgments 
are called in question." The 
other duties of the Superior 
Council are advisory merely. 
It may propose changes in 
the District law or adminis- 
tration, rules for the govern- 
ment and organization of 
officers and public services. 
It may suggest improvements 
in works of public utility, 
such as water supply, drain- 
age, sanitation, opening or 
■widening streets, or the crea- 
tion of special commissions 
to study and report upon 
such matters. The Council 
has a general supervision of 
the making of contracts for 
public works, but all such 
contracts must be submitted for final approval to the higher 
authority. 




(Photo by Waite, Mexico City. ) 

LETTER CARRIER, MEXICO CITY. 

In the fiscal year of 1908 over 195,000,000 pieces of mail 
were handled by the Mexican po.st-oiRce department. 



214 INTEENATIONAL BUEEAU OF THE AMEEICAN EEPUBLICS. 

The Governor of the District, the Director-General of Public 
Works, and the president of the Superior Health Board is each the 
head of his own department and responsible for its work, but the 
subordinate officers and employees are appointed by the Chief Execu- 
tive of the Republic. The three heads must each be a Mexican citi- 
zen, more than 25 years old, and not an ecclesiastic. 

The Governor of the District is the chief political authority in 
the District. He makes public and enforces all laws, decrees, and 
rules emanating from higher authority. He has special charge of 
the police and fire department, imposition of penalties for violation 
of ordinances, penal establishment, civic festivities, public diver- 
sions, plays, sale of intoxicating liquors, hotels and restaurants, street 
cars and cabs, the civil register, and of the inspection of weights and 
measures. 

The Director-General of Public Works has special charge of the 
water supply, streets and roads, parks, monuments, municipal light- 
ing, drainage and street cleaning, public buildings not under direct 
Federal control, cemeteries, construction, repair and maintenance of 
slaughterhouses and markets, inspection of building operations, and 
of woods, lands, commons, and other communal property. 

The president of the Superior Board of Health has charge of all 
sanitary works as provided by the sanitary code, and, in addition, of 
general sanitary inspection, especially of the hygienic and sanitary 
condition of slaughterhouses, markets, and cemeteries, and the intro- 
duction of meats from other sections. 

The popular element in government is preserved in the Federal 
District through the preservation of the ayuntamientos or town 
councils. Each of the 13 municipalities into which the District is- 
divided has its own ayuntamiento, composed of councilors elected by 
popular vote for four years. To be a councilor one must be a Mexi- 
can citizen, resident within the municipality, in full enjoyment of 
civil and political rights, more than 25 years of age, and not an 
ecclesiastic. 

The ayuntamiento of the municipality of the city of Mexico is 
composed of 21 members, of Tacubaya 11, and of each of the other 
municipalities 7. Each ayuntamiento elects from among its members 
a president and a vice-president who hold office for two years. 

The law requires that the ayuntamiento shall be consulted by the 
Ministry of the Interior, the Governor of the District, the director- 
general of public works, and the president of the health board, as the 
case may be, upon matters of general importance in the municipality^ 
such as water supply and distribution, local sanitary work, establish- 
ment of new settlements, exploitation or sale of woods, lands, and 
commons. They must also be consulted as to contracts for the execu- 
tion of any of these works and as to all other contracts of a municipal 



216 USTTEENATIONAL BUREAU OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLICS. 

character having a duration of five years or more, or which call for a 
total expenditure of 100,000 pesos ($50,000) or more, or an annual 
expenditure of 25,000 j^esos ($12,500). 

In all these matters the ayuntamientos have by a two-thirds vote the 
right of veto. Tlie effect of this veto is to suspend for four months 
the project or contract in question. At the end of the four months if 
the ayuntamiento still opposes the proposition by a vote of three- 
fourths of its members, the matter is submitted to the President of 
the Republic for final solution. 




(Photo by Waite, Mexico City.) 

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, MEXICO CITY. 

The building of this world-wide association is located on Puente de Alvarado street, near the Central 
Railway Station, and is the property of the Mexican branch of the society. Throughout the Repub- 
lic there are 6 organizations, with 4 paid secretaries and about 1,500 members. The association has 
railroad branches and educational departments for boys and men. 

Mexico City has 353 public schools maintained at government 
expense and nearly 200 private institutions of learning. Of the 
former, 13 are professional and technical institutes. 

The climate of Mexico is delightful. In summer the maximum 
temperature reached is not higher than 80° F. This occurs in April 
and May and from 2 to 4 o'clock in the aiternoon. The mornings and 
evenings are cool, the thermometer sometimes falling to 50°. The 
coldest months are generally November and December, where for a 
few hours the thermometer may fall within five or six degrees of 
freezing. The mean temperature of the summer months is about 65°, 
and for the winter months 54°. The annual variations for the several 
seasons is comparatively small, but the daily variation is often con- 
siderable, the temperature rising or falling twenty or more degrees 
in a few hours. 




68800— Bull. 2—09- 



218 INTEENATIONAL BUEEAU OF THE AMERICAJST REPUBLICS. 

The Mexican capital is becoming one of the most beautiful cities of 
the world, but it is a city in process of being made over. Unlike 
Buenos Aires or Chicago, which are new, Mexico City is very old. 
The work of improvement is the work of tearing down and rebuild- 
ing. This work goes on constantly and always to fit in with a general 
large plan, which looks to the whole and not to the particular. 

An English writer, Mr. Percy Martin, says of it : 

The aspect of the city to-day is suggestive of one-half being pulled down while 
the other half is being built up. But there can be no question as to what it will 
be when the destruction stage has ceased and the construction is complete. 
Mexico will be a beautiful city in every respect — worthy of the superb climate 
with which the country is blessed, worthy of the enterprising Government which 
is directing affairs, and with plenty to show for the millions which are being 
expended upon its adornment. Already sufficient has been effected to evince 
that Mexico City will be more beautiful than Paris, more admirably planned 
than Vienna, and a distinct improvement upon Berlin. 

Situated in a valley, with mountains on all sides, the location is 
ideal. To the stranger the most beautiful construction in the City of 
Mexico is the Paseo de la Reforma, or the Paseo, as it is usually 
called. This is undoubtedly one of the handsomest driveways in 
the world, and in a few years will be incomparably finer than the 
Prater, Unter clen Linden, the Champs Elysees, or the Nevskj'' Pros- 
pect, the better-known show ways of Vienna, Berlin, Paris, and St. 
Petersburg. It extends, over two and a half miles in length, from the 
center of the residential part of the city to the foot of Chapultepec. 

The carriage way is broad, shaded by two rows of trees on each side, 
between which is a wide promenade. At intervals the Paseo expands 
into a glorieta^ a small circular park 400 feet in diameter, around 
which are handsomely carved stone benches. In the center of the 
glorietas are well-kept and beautiful flower beds. In the first p'ZoWeto 
within the city stands the colossal equestrian statue of Charles IV 
of Spain, said to be the largest bronze in the world. 

There are also colossal statues of Columbus and of Cuauhtemoc 
and Juarez. In fact, each gloneta will have several such statues of 
Mexican celebrities, which will be presented by the several Mexican 
States. 

The statue of Charles IV was first placed in 1804 on its pedestal in 
the Plaza Mayor, where it remained until 1824, when it was removed 
to the patio of the university, whence it was moved to its present site. 
It is a solid bronze, 15 feet 9 inches high, weighing over 30 tons. 
The King is dressed in royal robes, wearing on his head a wreath of 
laurel and holding in his right hand the scepter. The horse is in 
the act of walking, the left fore foot and right hind foot being raised. 
The sculptor was Manuel Tolsa. 

The statue of Columbus was one of the first monuments erected on 
the continent he discovered, and one of the handsomest. He stands 



220 INTEENATIONAL, BUEEAU OF THE AMERICAN EEPUBLICS. 

drawing aside the veil which concealed the New World. The base is 
ornamented by basso-relievos picturing incidents in the life of the 
Great Admiral, and at the four corners stand life-size figures in bronze 
of Padre Marchena of La Eabida, Padre Fray, Diego Dehesa, Fray 
Pedro de Gante, and Fray Bartoleme de las Casas. 

The statue of Cuauhtemoc represents the plumed and feathered 
w^arrior standing uf)right in the act of drawing an arrow from his 
quiver. 




STATUE OF CUAUHTEMOC, CITY OF MEXICO. 

The beautiful statue of Cuauhtemoc, the last emperor of the Aztecs, was designed by Francisco 
Jimenez, a Mexican artist, and erected in the Paseo de la Reforma at a cost of $40,000. On 
each anniversary of its dedication, August 21, celebrations are held at the base of the monu- 
ment, addresses being made in the Aztec language. The bronze figure represents the well- 
poi.",ed body of the emperor in the act of throwing a spear, symbolic of his refusal of the terms 
of peace oSered by Cortez. 

The hill of Chapultepec overlooking the city is said to have been 
the site of the summer palace of the Montezumas. After the con- 
quest the Spanish viceroj^s built on the crest of Chapultepec the great 
castle which stands to this day and is the summer residence of Presi- 
dent Diaz. Surrounding the castle are magnificent cypress woods, 
the finest grove on the continent. The view from the terrace of the 
castle is one of the world's famous sights. 

Another of the famous sights of Mexico is the Alameda, a park of 
about 40 acres extent. This w^as in old times an Indian market and 
also a place of execution. It was at one time inclosed by a high 



222 INTEElsrATIOlSrAL BUEEAU OF THE AMEKICAN EEPUBLICS. 




BAS-RELIEF ON ONE SIDE OF THE STATUE OF CUAUHTEMOC. 

The scene depicts the torturing of the Aztec emperor, Cuauhtemoc, and the cacique of Tacuba, 
by roasting their feet over a slow fire, in order to force them to reveal to the Spanish con- 
querors the hiding place of their treasures. The cacique could not conceal his suft'ering, at 
which the emperor rebuked him with the words: " Do you think, then, that I am taking my 
pleasure in my bath? " 




PALACE OF THE PRESIDENT, CHAPULTEPEC, MEXICO. 

This historic structure is situated on the eastern summit of Chapultepec (hill of the grasshop- 
pers) overlooking the valley with the city in the foreground and the snow-capped volcanoes of 
Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl in the rear. A fine roadway ascends the hill to the castle, 
which is also reached by an elevator. At the foot of the hill is a large spring that forms part 
of the water supply of the capital. In the surrounding park is a fine grove of ancient moss- 
covered cypress trees, one of which is 45 feet in circumference and 200 feet high. 



224 INTERNATIONAL, BUREAU OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLICS. 

wooden fence, and later by a stone wall with a moat around the wall. 
About twenty years ago the fences and walls were removed and the 
moat filled up. Since then the whole park has been made over, until 
it is now a most beautiful place of promenades. Here are held the 
fiestas on national holidaj^s. 

One of the most important, if not the most important, municipal 
work undertaken in the city of Mexico has been the drainage of the 
valley. This is a very old project and antedates the conquest in the 
colonial period. Work was at times pushed and then abandoned, and 




LA VIGA CANAL, FEDERAL DISTRICT, MEXICO. 

This is an artificial and navigable waterway, through which the waters of Xochimilco and 
Chalco lakes discharge into the lower level of Lake Texeoco. It is the route over which a 
large traffic in vegetable and other products is carried on between the capital and the outly- 
ing country. On Sunday afternoons and holidays the canal is alive with pleasure seekers and 
tourists. 

SO it was during the earlier years of the Kepublic. Decisive action 
dates from the formation of the Drainage Board in 1886, since which 
the work has been continuously and intelligently carried on to a final 
completion a few years ago. It comprehends an outlet from the low- 
lying valley to carry off the surplus water fall and drainage for which 
nature has not provided. The Valley of Mexico is a great undrained 
bowl set round with a rim of high hills and mountains. This rim has 
been tunneled and into the tunnel are carried the waters of the Vega 
Canal which is the final receptacle of the surplus water and city 



MUNICIPAL OEGANIZATION IN LATIN-AMERICAN CAPITALS. 225 

drainage. The drainage itself is by means of an underground system 
similar to that of most other modern cities. It differs in this that the 
natural fall being insufficient to carry off the matter or to flush the 
pipes by gravity, an artificial method of accomplishing these ends 
was necessary. This is done through a supplemental water supply 
derived from the springs surrounding the valley, which is gathered 
and pumped under pressure through the drain pipes, through the 
larger collecting channels into the canal, and through the tunnel out 
of the valley. The work begun by the Board in 1886 was continued 
by a Commission appointed in 1895 and by the Board of Directors 
appointed in 1896. 




A SCENE ON THE VIGA CANAL, FEDERAL DISTRICT, MEXICO. 

The Viga Canal is 16 miles long and 30 feet wide, with an average depth of 6 feet. It has 
continued in use for more than two centuries. Many historic and picturesque places border 
its banlcs and make it one of the most interesting spots in the valley of Mexico. 

The great cathedral of Mexico, the most pretentious church on the 
continent, stands first in architectural interest among the many fine 
buildings which have given to the capital the name of " City of 
Palaces." 

The corner stone was laid in 1573 upon the site occupied by the 
great Aztec temple which was destroyed by Cortez in 1521. A small 
church was two years later erected upon the site, which in turn gave 
place fifty years later to the foundations of the present cathedral. 
The walls were completed in 1615, the roof in 1623, when the first mass 



226 INTEENATIOlSrAL BUREAU OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLICS. 

was said. In 1667 the church was dedicated, and in 1791 the towers 
were finished, and the building was finally completed about twenty 
years later. 

The cathedral occupies an extent of 374 feet by 187 feet. The 
architecture is composite. The facade on the side from which the 




(Photo by Waite, Mexico City.) 

MOUNTED POLICE, MEXICO CITY. 

The mounted police force, which patrols the outlying districts and suburbs of the capital, consists 
of highly disciplined and well-trained horsemen. 

towers rise is divided by massive buttresses into three divisions rep- 
resenting the three Greek orders. The lower is Doric, next above, 
a somewhat exaggerated Ionic, and the upper part Corinthian. The 
material is a gray stone relieved by statues, friezes, bases, and capi- 
tals of white marble, which gives an agreeable color effect. The 



MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION IN LATIN-AMERICAN CAPITALS. 227 

towers are 204 feet in height. Two massive buttresses joined to- 
gether but hidden by a wall form the first body of each tower, which 
rises to the height of the side entrances. From thence the second 
body springs, ornamented with columns and semicircular openings. 
The third body, lighter in effect and angular, is encircled by a bal- 
lustrade. The two lower bodies are Doric and the upper Ionic, Each 
tower is capped by a bell-shaped dome. In the west tower hangs the 
great bell, Saint Mary of Guadelupe, which is 18 feet high. Above 
the whole rises the great and imposing dome surmounted by a slender 
and graceful lantern. 




MOORISH PAVILION, CITY OF MEXICO. 

The "PabellonMorisco," or Moorish Building, which stands on the southern side of the Alameda, 
facing Avenida Juarez, is constructed of iron and glass, and was formerly the Mexican Building 
at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. For twenty-five years it was the office of the 
National Lottery, but is now used as a cafe. 

The interior forms a Latin cross. Five naves, converging to the 
center, represent various styles of vaulting; cloistered and groined 
in the fourteen chapels, seven on each side; spherical and supported 
by curvilinear triangles in the processional naves; and semicircular 
Avith lanterns in the central and cross naves. The three last naves 
are supjDorted by twenty handsome Doric half columns. The whole 
interior is a marvel of carving and gilding. 

The National Palace, occupying an entire square, fronting nearly 
TOO feet on the Plaza Mayor, is the Capitol of the Republic. It 
contains the President's offices and those of several executive depart- 
ments, and is the meeting place of the Senate. The House of Deputies 
occupies what was formerly the Yturbide Theater, but which has been 



228 INTERNATIONAL BUREAU OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLICS. 

remodeled for legislative purposes. The Palace occupies the side of 
the House of Cortez, which was destroyed in 1692. The present 
building was begun soon after, and has been added to from time 
to time. The last additions are quite recent. The outside is un- 
interesting, presenting long white walls which suggest no idea of 
the interior magnificence of the halls and salons. 

The Palace has three entrances from the Plaza Mayor. The most 
noted room is the Hall of the Ambassadors, an apartment of regal 
dimensions and adornment. The Plall of the Constitution is also a 
magnificent room. Over the main gateway of the Palace hangs the 
Liberty Bell of Mexico, rung by Hidalgo to call the people to arms in 
1810. 

The National Library was formerly the old Church of St. Augustin, 
and is one of the fine buildings of the c'ltj. It has gardens on each 
side and contains 200,000 volumes, of which many are very old and 
valuable. 

The National Museum is one of the world's great museums. Its 
collection of ancient Mexican art and other relics is known to all 
scholars. 

The School of Fine Arts is a fine gallery of painting and sculpture. 

Among the most noted churches are San Pablo, Santa Vera Cruz, 
Santa Maria Martir, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz Acaltan, San Miguel, 
San Jose, Santo Domingo, San Augustin, San Diego, and Xuestra 
Seiiora de la Concepcion. 

Other fine buildings are the Mining Palace, the Post-Office building, 
Palace of Justice, and the Mint. 



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